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Menopausal Vaginal Dryness and Irritation

Are you menopausal or approaching the menopause and experiencing more incidents of urinary tract infections or symptoms such as urinary burning, vaginal dryness or feelings of wanting to go to the toilet all the time?

Does this sometimes feel like daggers or hot chillies? Is it stopping you from enjoying life, affecting your desire to do exercise or affecting your sex life?

Some women I work with find it can be so debilitating that it stops them from even wanting to meet up with friends or leave the house.

As we move into our menopause oestrogen levels diminish. This drop in oestrogen levels age the skin quicker and are associated with changes of the mucus membranes and the tissues of the vagina, vulva and urethra.

The tissues in these areas become thinner and more irritated and can impact on sexual enjoyment and cause everyday discomfort and make the urinary tract areas more susceptible to infections or inflammation.

However if we prepare for these changes we can support the body through these changes. One important focus you can have is on your diet and the intake of more phytooestrogens.

Phytoestrogens
Phytooestrogens interact with oestrogen receptors which can counter some of the effects of diminishing oestrogen levels in a pre menopausal and menopausal woman. Studies have found that an increase in eating foods and herbs containing phyto-oestrogens can reduce menopausal symptoms including vaginal dryness and irritation.

It is preferable to take phytoestrogens in dietary sources rather than as a supplement of isoflavones. However if menopausal symptoms do not diminish with diet and herbs then a supplement may be appropriate. However it is advisable to speak to a herbalist or medical practitioner first. (Please see precautions below[1]).

Black cohosh is a phytooestrogenic herb and is commonly used for hot flushes. There is also some evidence to show that taking black cohosh internally can reduce the dryness and changes of vaginal tissue during menopause. (1)

Diet
It is extremely important to cut out inflammatory foods such as sugar in all forms. Wheat, especially refined white flour products, may exacerbate symptoms. Also cut out all processed foods.

Pelvic floor exercises
Pelvic floor exercises daily, can greatly reduce symptoms, improving blood supply to the area and strengthening tissues that are becoming weaker due to oestrogen levels dropping.

Relaxation and Breathing exercises
Try to sit every day and focus in on your breathing.
Breath deeply & ‘Let things be as they are’.
Sit for 10 minutes each day and try to go deeper into the sensations, allowing them to release.

External Ointment
It is also really important to keep the vaginal area lubricated, especially during sexual intercourse. You can buy products off the shelf such as ‘YES’ ointment but I would recommend you make your own. You can use phytoestrogenic herbs with a base cream and also healing herbs for such as Calendula. Here is a recipe to try.

Mix the oils together and add the beeswax. Melt the beeswax over a water bath with the lid on and when completely melted take off the head and leave to cool. Add the lavender essential oil, mix and leave to set in the fridge.

Apply daily inside the vagina
You can also make pesseries out of this ointment in order to be able to insert them slightly higher up.

L[1]evels of isoflavones in the extracted forms are much higher than in food based sources and there is no evidence of the long term impact these can have on the body. Although there is some evidence that dietary phytooestrogens may reduce the incidence of cancer in premenopausal women, taking a supplement of Isolated flavones is not recommended for those with a history of cancer or if cancer runs in the family in particular if you are post menopausal. Hops should not be taken if you are on any medication to reduce the risk of recurrence of breast cancers (selective oestrogen receptor modulating medication) (For more information about taking an isoflavone extract please see a qualified herbalist or health practitioner.)

2 Comments

Sharon Driscoll

Hi Sarah, I’m a 51 year old single Mother if a 7 and 11 year old girl. My periods started changing over a year ago and now I haven’t had a period in about 4 mo. I’m so scared of losing these hormones and have researched Bioidentical hormones. I’ve read this can put you back to what you were before menapause because it’s naturally giving you back these hormones. Is there an even more natural way that can replace the hormones in this exact way?
I’m getting worse and can’t be a good Mom and person while struggling with this.

Thanks so much
Sharon Driscoll

Sarah Gray

Hi Sharon. Firstly I understand the feelings you might be going through when your hormones start to change and this can be scary and uncomfortably. Many things can support this change naturally including what we eat, how we deal with stress and herbal medicines. With the absence of your periods you may be starting to go through the menopause but your age suggests you are perimneopausal which is the stage prior to menopause. If you are perimenopausal there are definitely more natural ways to regulate your hormones than taking synthetic hormones. Once you are going through the menopause you can take herbs to help you deal with the symptoms but herbs will not change your hormonal picture. Changing your hormonal picture during the menopause with synthetic drugs is controversial but can relieve symptoms. Some say it delays the symptoms. If you would like to discuss your choice further please email me at sarah@sarahherbal.co.uk and we can arrange a free half an hour consultation.